noun
demagogy
DEM-uh-gah-gee
Demagogy (noun) means Rule by a demagogue, or a state governed in that way. Example: “Ancient writers warned that democracy could slide into demagogy.”
noun
1
formal Rule by a demagogue, or a state governed in that way.
"Ancient writers warned that democracy could slide into demagogy."
"Critics described the regime as little more than demagogy."
"The essay compares demagogy with other forms of government."
2
formal The behavior or manner of a demagogue.
"His speech was pure demagogy, full of promises and blame."
"Voters grew tired of the demagogy of the campaign."
"She accused her rival of demagogy."
How to use demagogy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDemagogy is the behavior of a demagogue, or government by one.
When to use it
It is a formal, rather literary word and is less common than demagoguery.
Memory tip
If you are unsure, use demagoguery, which most readers will recognize more easily.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
political demagogy
slide into demagogy
accuse someone of demagogy
populist demagogy
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Ancient writers warned that democracy could slide into _____.
Etymology
The word was borrowed from Ancient Greek dēmagōgía. It can also be analyzed as demagogue plus the suffix -y.
Synonyms
View more →
demagoguery
demagogism
Rhymes for demagogy
urology
apology
zoology
biology
ecology
analogy
etiology
pedagogy
mycology
virology
sexology
cytology
See all rhymes for demagogy →
Frequently asked questions
What does demagogy mean?
Demagogy means rule by a demagogue, or the actions and manner of a demagogue. It is used mainly in political writing.
Is demagogy the same as demagoguery?
They overlap in meaning, and demagoguery is given as a synonym for the sense about a demagogue's actions. Demagoguery is the more familiar word.
How do you pronounce demagogy?
In General American it is pronounced DEM-uh-gah-gee, with the stress on the first syllable. A variant ending in a 'jee' sound is also given.
What is the meaning of demagogy?
"demagogy" (noun) means rule by a demagogue, or a state governed in that way.
